Aster plant named ‘DASKAT’

ABSTRACT

A new distinct cultivar of  Aster  plant named ‘DASKAT’, characterized by its upright and inverted conical plant habit; gray-green foliage; freely flowering habit; decorative, composite-type inflorescence with about 250 to 30 red-purple-colored ray florets; and only about 10 to 15 green-colored disc florets per inflorescence (almost 100% filled capitulae).

Latin name of the genus and species of the claimed plant: Aster novi-belgi (now Symphyotrichum novi-belgii).

Variety denomination: ‘DASKAT’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Aster plant, botanically known as Aster novi-belgii (now Symphyotrichum novi-belgii) of the Asteraceae family, commonly known as Michaelmas Daisy and New York Aster, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘DASKAT’.

The new Aster cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Bent Juhl JENSEN, in Malling, Denmark. The objective of the breeding program is to develop a new Aster variety with uniform plant growth habit, unique floret colors, and good postproduction longevity.

The new Aster cultivar originated from a cross made in a controlled breeding program by the inventor on Apr. 1, 2005, in Malling, Denmark. The female or seed parent is Aster novi-belgii ‘VICTORIA MATHILDE’ (unpatented, disclosed in pending CPVO Application No. 2006/1898). The male or pollen parent is the unpatented Aster novi-belgii seedling selection designated 05-008-007. The new Aster ‘DASKAT’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in September of 2006 in a controlled environment in Malling, Denmark. The selection of the new Aster ‘DASKAT’ was based on its uniform plant growth habit and desirable inflorescence form and ray floret color.

Asexual reproduction of the new Aster cultivar by vegetative tip cuttings was first performed in June of 2006 in Mailing, Denmark, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘DASKAT’, which in combination distinguish this Aster as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Upright and inverted conical plant habit;     -   2. Gray-green foliage;     -   3. Freely flowering habit;     -   4. Decorative, composite-type inflorescence with about 250 to         300 red-purple-colored ray florets; and     -   5. Only about 10 to 15 green-colored disc florets per         inflorescence (almost 100% filled capitulae).

Plants of the new Aster ‘DASKAT’ differ from plants of the female parent, Aster novi-belgii ‘VICTORIA MATHILDE’ (unpatented, disclosed in pending CPVO Application No. 2006/1898) in the characteristics described below:

-   -   1. Plants of ‘DASKAT’ are more compact than plants of ‘VICTORIA         MATHILDE’;     -   2. Plants of ‘DASKAT’ produce more ray florets than plants of         ‘VICTORIA MATHILDE’; and     -   3. Plants of ‘DASKAT’ produce red-purple (RHS N74B) ray florets         whereas plants of ‘VICTORIA MATHILDE’ produce red-purple (RHS         N66A) ray florets.

Plants of the male or pollen parent, the unpatented Aster novi-belgii seedling selection designated 05-008-007, are unavailable to provide a botanical comparison to plants of the new Aster ‘DASKAT’.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Aster ‘DASKAT’ are 1) Aster novi-belgii ‘VICTORIA PINK FANNY’ (patented, CPVO Grant No. 14582), 2) Aster novi-belgii ‘MILKA CARMINE’ (patented, CPVO Grant No. 5028). Plants of the new Aster ‘DASKAT’ differ from plants of 1) Aster novi-belgii ‘VICTORIA PINK FANNY’ and 2) Aster novi-belgii ‘MILKA CARMINE’ in the characteristics provided in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Comparison Cultivar New ‘VICTORIA PINK Comparison Cultivar Char- Cultivar FANNY’ ‘MILKA CARMINE’ acteristic ‘DASKAT’ (patented) (patented) Leaf Shape: Gladiate to Ensiform Gladiate linear Mature Leaf Gray-green, Green, Green, Color (upper RHS N189B RHS 137A RHS 137A surface): Capitulum Depth: 15 Depth: 12 mm Depth: 10 mm Size: mm Ray Florets About 250 to About 250 ray flo- About 240 ray florets 300 ray flo- rets per flower, per flower, which are rets per in- which are involute, involute in shape, with florescence, almost tubular in acute apex which are shape, with rounded oval, slightly to slightly retuse involute in apex shape, with rounded, slightly re- tuse apex Mature Ray Red-purple, Purple, Purple, Floret Color RHS N74B RHS 77C RHS 75C (upper surface): Disc Florets: About 10 to About 50 to 60 disc About 30 to 40 disc 15 disc flo- florets per florets per rets per inflorescence inflorescence inflorescence Mature Disc Green, RHS Yellow-Green, Yellow, RHS 9C Floret Color: 137D RHS 151B

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Aster ‘DASKAT’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the color of ‘DASKAT’.

FIG. 1 shows a top and side view perspective a typical flowering plant of ‘DASKAT’ in a 9.5 cm pot, at 10 weeks of age after planting.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view perspective of a typical mature inflorescence of ‘DASKAT’, at 10 weeks of age after planting.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up comparison view of a typical mature inflorescence and leaf of: 1) the new Aster ‘DASKAT’ (referenced by breeder designation 283-12), compared to 2) the comparison cultivar Aster ‘VICTORIA PINK FANNY’ (referenced by PINK FANNY), and 3) the comparison cultivar Aster ‘MILKA CARMINE’ (referenced by MILKA, ROSA).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Aster ‘DASKAT’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Aster ‘DASKAT’ as grown in a glass-covered greenhouse in Malling, Denmark, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. ‘DASKAT’ plants were grown in 9.5 cm pots in a heated and lighted glass-covered greenhouse with the day temperatures ranging from 18° C. to 20° C. and the night temperature averaging 18° C. ‘DASKAT’ plants are grown under long day (20 hour) photoperiodic treatments for five weeks, followed by short day (12 hour) photoperiodic treatments for five weeks. During the long day (20 hour) photoperiodic treatments, if ambient light level falls below +50 Wm², a supplementary light at +200 Wm² is applied. ‘DASKAT’ plants ‘DASKAT’ plants were pinched once, and treated twice with the growth retardant Daminozide.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 4th Edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions in Mailing, Denmark. The age of the ‘DASKAT’ plants shown in the photographs and described herein is about 10 weeks.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Aster novi-belgii (now Symphyotrichum             novi-belgii). -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Aster novi-belgii ‘VICTORIA MATHILDE’             (unpatented, disclosed in pending CPVO Application No.             2006/1898).         -   Male or pollen parent.—Aster novi-belgii seedling selection             designated 05-008-007 (unpatented). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Vegetative tip cuttings.         -   Time and temperature to initiate roots.—Summer: About 12             days at 21° C. Winter: About 13 days at 21° C.         -   Rooting habit.—Fine, fibrous and freely branching.         -   Root color.—Gray-white, close to RHS 156D. -   Plant description:     -   -   General appearance and form.—Herbaceous, decorative-type             potted or bedding plant with upright plant habit. Aster             inflorescences in composite heads.         -   Growth and branching habit.—Stems upright; inverted conical             plant habit. Appropriate for 9 cm to 15 cm containers.         -   Growth rate/vigor.—Vigourous.         -   Plant height (soil level to top of plant plane).—About 17             cm.         -   Plant width (spread).—About 20 cm.         -   Crop time to produce a mature flowering plant.—After             rooting, about 10 weeks are required to produce finished             flowering plants in 9.5 cm pots. -   Branches:     -   -   Number of branches per plant.—About 15, with 3 cuttings per             pot.         -   Quantity of buds and inflorescence per lateral stem.—About 2             to 6, buds continue to develop when dead flowers are             removed.         -   Branching habit.—Freely after pinching.         -   Length.—About 12 cm (including flowers).         -   Diameter.—About 3 mm.         -   Internode length.—About 9 mm. Range about 7 mm to 13 mm.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright.         -   Texture.—Glabrous with 3–4 longitudinal furrows.         -   Color.—Green, RHS 137C. -   Foliage description:     -   -   Quantity per branch.—About 10 to 14.         -   Arrangement.—Single, alternate, petiolated. Older leaves are             twisted in form.         -   Length.—Up to 6 cm.         -   Width.—Up to 14 mm.         -   Overall shape of leaf.—Gladiate to linear.         -   Shape at apex.—Acute.         -   Shape at base.—Decurrent, auriculate ½ clasping.         -   Margin.—Slightly crenulate.         -   Texture.—Glabrous, smooth, leathery.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Color of developing foliage.—Upper surface: Green, RHS 139A.             Under surface: Gray-green, RHS 189A.         -   Color of mature foliage.—Upper surface: Gray-green, RHS             N189B. Under surface: Gray-green, RHS 191A.         -   Venation pattern.—None, but prominent central abaxial vein.         -   Venation color.—Upper surface: Gray-green, RHS 191B. Under             surface: Yellow-green, RHS 146C.         -   Petiole.—Length: 15 mm to 22 mm. Diameter: 1 mm to 3 mm.             Appearance and angle: About 30° from vertical. Texture:             Glabrous. Color: Green, RHS 137C. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Terminal and axillary composite inflorescences             held above and beyond the foliage, with about 250 to 300             lanceolate-shaped ray florets and only about 10 to 15 disc             florets; ray and disc florets arranged acropetally on a             capitulum. Inflorescences face upright and form is             capitulum.         -   Natural flowering season.—Under natural season conditions,             plants flower in late summer through autumn in Denmark.             Season can be extended by vernalization and long day             treatments.         -   Time to flower.—About 5 to 6 weeks (longevity of individual             inflorescences is dependent on temperature and light             conditions).         -   Postproduction longevity.—Inflorescences maintain good color             and substance for about 27 days on the plant when in an             indoor environment, and may keep longer if temperatures are             maintained below 20° C. Inflorescences persistent.         -   Quantity of inflorescences.—About 40 to 50 buds and open             inflorescences per plant.         -   Fragrance.—Faint.         -   Bud.—Rate of opening: About 10 per week, for 3 weeks after             induction. Length: Up to 7 mm. Diameter: Up to 7 mm. Shape:             Globular. Texture: Glabrous. Color: Green, RHS 137C.         -   Peduncle.—Length: 10 mm to 15 mm. Diameter: 1 mm. Appearance             and angle: About 70° from vertical. Strength: Strong.             Texture: Glabrous. Color: Green, RHS 134C.         -   Inflorescence.—Inflorescence height: About 6 to 8 cm.             Inflorescence diameter About 4 to 6 cm. Capitulum height:             About 1.5 cm Capitulum diameter: About 3.5 cm         -   Quantity of flowers (capitulae) per inflorescence.—About 10             to 14.         -   Ray florets.—Arrangement and quanity: Imbricate, about 250             to 300 ray florets per capitulum in 9 to 12 whorls of ray             florets (depending on light and temperature conditions).             Orientation: Initially upright, later mostly horizontal.             Aspect: Straight to slightly involute. Appearance:             Lanceolate, but sides turn inward (involute). Length: About             10 mm. Width: About 2 mm. Overall shape: Oval, slightly             involute. Shape at apex: Rounded, slighlty retuse. Shape at             base: Fused. Margin: Entire. Texture: Upper and under             surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, silky. Pubescence: Subtended by             numerous short, about 2 mm, white hairs. Color (when opening             and fully opened): Upper surface: red-purple, RHS N74B.             Under surface: purple, RHS 76B. Fading: Yes, gray-purple,             RHS 187B.         -   Disc florets.—Arrangement: About 10 to 15 disc florets,             massed at center of capitulum. Length: About 2 mm. Width:             About 1 mm. Disc area diameter: About 2 mm. Overall shape:             Tubular, elongated. Shape at apex: Acute. Shape at base:             Fused to tube. Margin: Entire. Texture: Upper and under             surfaces: Scale-like, parchment thin. Pubescence: Subtended             by numerous short, about 2 mm, white hairs. Color (when             opening): Upper and under surfaces: Green, RHS 137D. Color             (when fully opened): Upper and under surfaces: Green, RHS             137D.         -   Phyllaries.—Quantity per inflorescence: Involucre, about 40             to 50. Length: About 3 to 5 mm. Width: About 1 to 2 mm.             Overall shape: Lanceolate. Apex shape: Acute. Base shape:             Truncate, fused. Margin: Entire. Texture: Hairy, setulose             edges, verrucose abaxial surface. Color (immature): Upper             surface: Green, RHS 137B. Under surface: Green, RHS 137D.             Color (mature): Upper surface: Green, RHS 137A.

Under surface: Green, RHS 137B.

-   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium (on disc florets only).—Stamen number: 1 or 5 per             floret; fused around style. Stamen length: About 1 mm.             Anther shape: Narrowly cylindrical, somewhat fused. Anther             length: About 0.3 mm. Anther color: Yellow, RHS 8B. Pollen             amount: Moderate. Pollen color: Yellow, RHS 8A.         -   Gynoecium (on disc and ray florets).—Pistil number: 1 per             floret. Pistil length: About 2 mm. Stigma shape: Cleft.             Stigma length: About 1.2 mm. Stigma color: White, RHS N155C.             Style length: About 1 mm. Style color: White, RHS N155D.             Ovary diameter: About 2 mm. Ovary color: White, RHS N155D. -   Seed: None observed. -   Fruit: None observed. -   Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests common to     Asters has not been observed on plants grown under commercial     greenhouse conditions. -   Disease/pest susceptibility: Resistance to pathogens and pests     common to Asters has not been observed on plant grown under     commercial green house conditions, except mildew after flowers wilt. -   High temperature tolerance: Not specifically tested, but if enough     water is available, tolerant up to 35° C. -   Low temperature tolerance: Not specifically tested, but if enough     water is available, tolerant to −15° C. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Aster plant named ‘DASKAT’, as illustrated and described herein. 